The aegis & intelligencer. [volume] (Bel Air, Md.) 1864-1923, 1887-04-29
alt does seem heartless and unfeelng to be

at does seem heartless and unfeelng to be
making apple-dumplings for dinner and ones
Husbands kin lying dead in her coffin" she
remarked to her hal-grown daughter.
Lucky, there's that cake we made for Sun
days meeting. I'll take it with me, for
therel be sight of folks from distance
come to the funeral, and some of EN- will
have to stay to dinner. And you can get a
good basket of grapes out of the garden, Liz
zie. They're early and won't come in amiss. p"
And we must have plenty of white flow
ers, you know, ma" said Lizzie, in lively ex-
citement and an,icipation land I'll wear a
black sash with my white dress, like Judge
Martins daughters at old Miss Martins flu
neral"
"We'll all wear Our black dresses" said
Mrs. Cole. ut looks more respectful like
and I'm told it's the fashion at funerals, even
where there's no kim"
So, next morning, bright and early, two
vehicles were seen to leave the little village,
closely crowded with black-robed figures,
most of whom carried wreaths and punches
of white flowers.
In this part Of the country it was the Gus
tom 10 have all "buryings" at precisely one
O'Clock, so the party had no fear of being too
late for the funeral.
Mr. john Cole drove his own wagon, and
|
a couple of neighbors, who, having a slight
acquaintance with the Barnville Coles, con-
sidered it but friendly and respectful to the
family to attend the funeral.
| They went at n brisk rate until they ap-
preached Barnville, whose principal street
they entered at n proper and becoming funer-
al pace.
1T does seem to me as if sort O shadder
hangs over the place to-day" Mrs Hill Oh
served, as she looked from under her spec
taces at the people passing. poor old
lady her death will be felt, for better
woman never lived
"Look there's the house, with the parlor-
windows shet, and, declare, little Jenny
Cole carrying in cheers"
"And Just see that pile of old ivy rubbish
at the foot of the back steps They've been
fixing up the parlor with earrings on the
walls" said another.
"And yonder's the minister, across at the
'pothecary's, talking to Jeems Cole himself"
exclaimed Mrs. Cole. "And he iii his every
day clothes, and looking not bit downcast.
Well, suppose he hasn't had time to dress"
They alighted at the front door, where
they were met by Master Johnny, who sud
denly boiling out, nearly knocked down stout
Mrs Hill before he knew it.
"Wel, johnny, how are your said Mrs.
JOnD, IN tone OF COmlliSeTatlOH. anu
how is your poor ma, Johnny?'
She's very well, thank yer, maam y an
swcred Johnny, with parrot-lke poiteness,
while staring round upon the visitors with
beaming countenance.
We'll, Johnny, show us the way, and go
and let your folks know that were here. He
don't seem to care a bit" she added, as the
boy skipped OF; "but then" looking around
on her own eager-eycd offspring, children
never can realize the awfulness of DEATH"
They walked solemnly into the parlor, the
door of which Johnny had proudly thrown
open, and seating themselves in black row
against the wall, rigdly awaited the appear
ance of one of the family.
"It's mighty strange that the coffin isn't in
here" whispered Miss Bates. and such a
show of flowers All sorts Of colors, too "
Il smell cake" said Mrs. Hill.
Just then Master Johnny's voice was dis
tinctly heard, calling at the head of the kitch
en- stairs
"Bess say, Bess Here's lot of folks
come 10 the circusW
"Gracious goodness !" said Mrs. Cole.
did you ever?' whispered Mrs. Hill.
And the two young Coles suppressed
giggle.
Presently Master johnny came skipping
back.
II told EN-" he announced, briefly
"Gran'ma's coming now"
A little stir as the ladies settled themselves
prmly in their seats.
BE quiet now!' whispered Mrs. Cole to
her daughter. They're bringing in the
coffin"
The door opened, and there enteredap port
ly, pleasant old lady, who smilingly
held out her hand to the visitors.
They all simultaneously started to their
feet. with various amazed EXPLANATIONS.
"Why, the lands sake y
Have mercy on u.s."
"Why Mrs. Cole!r
The old lady stopped short looking almost
as surprised and bewildered rs the visitors.
A dead silence ensued, then all looked from
Mrs Cole at each other,
ut seems there has been mistake" said
Mr. John Cole, who at this instant opportune-
ly entered, having stopped outside to tasten
his horses.
His wife nudged him, but he was beyond
controlling his feelings at this moment, and
bursting into a laugh, he seized the old lady's
hands in both his own.
II declare, Cousin Cole, I'm delighted to
see you looking so well, | never saw you
looking better in my life And to think
ha, la, ha Ito think we've all come fifteen
miles TO your funeral!'
ITO Bessie's wedding, you mean T. said tie
old lady, still looking bewildered.
wedding Is Bessie going to be mar
red p
And then, perforce, there were explana-
tons, to the great modification of the visi-
tors and the greater amusement of the old
lady.
As to Master Johnny, his delight knew no
bounds, and he dashed into the yard and
fairly rolled on the grass in his convulsive
merriment.
Now that you have so kindly come TO my
funeral" said the old lady, smilingly you
must of course stay to the wedding. 1t was
kept secret till yesterday, and there'll be
only few relatives and intimate friends
nobody invited out of town. But we will be
glad to have you stay"
And they did stay, being so Hospitality
pressed by the family, Mrs. John Cole con-
solng herself with the thought of the cake
and fruit that she had brought along-a suit
able offering for wedding
And that evening, by II bright moonlight,
the funeral procession that had in the morn
ing lugubriously entered Barnvile drove
gaily away from the wedding, and all the way
homeward INDUCED in reflections upon the
gossippng folks who, out of slight cold and
fever, could have made up story of death
and funeral-,Satulday Night.
They We're AIways Rusy.